KR20180089397A - Resealable inner package for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The container includes an inner package disposed within the housing. The inner package includes a first region extending along a longitudinal axis of the inner package and including first and second layers of a material forming an inner package and a second region adjacent the first region and extending further along the longitudinal axis, Region. The second region includes only the first layer and does not include the second layer. The first region also includes a first perforated line disposed in a first layer defining a flap, and a second perforated line disposed in a second layer defining an access opening disposed in the first region. The access opening is covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position and is at least partially exposed when the flap is in the open position.

Description

Resealable inner package for containers

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods having a resealable inner package.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are typically packaged in a rigid hinge lid container having a box and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. Such a hinge lid container is typically comprised of a one-piece laminated cardboard blank. In use, the lid is rotated about the hinge line to open the container, thereby accessing the smoking article bundle disposed within the box.

The smoking article bundles disposed within the box are typically packaged in an inner liner of metallized paper, metal foil or other flexible sheet material. To access the bundle of smoking articles in the inner liner, the consumer typically removes and discards the pre-cut top portion of the inner liner when first opening the hinge lid container.

However, it is also known to enclose a bundle of smoking articles with a resealable substantially airtight wrapper, for example to enhance protection against the influx and escape of air, moisture, flavor and odor.

For example, European patent application EP-A-0 944 539 discloses a hinge-lid pack of a smoking article comprising a layer of barrier material and enclosed within an encapsulation enclosure in which an access aperture is formed Lt; / RTI > The access aperture is covered by a cover layer that has a permanent adhesive surface and can be combined with a layer of barrier material to reseal the enclosure after the initial opening of the aperture. A non-adhesive tab is provided on the bottom edge of the cover layer to assist in opening and re-opening the sealed enclosure.

International Patent Application No. WO-A-2008/142540 discloses a method for producing a smoking article in an inner package having an extruded opening closed by a cover flap secured to the inner package using a non-dry adhesive adhesive applied to the underside of the cover flap Discloses a hinge-lid pack of a smoking article in which the article is enclosed. The inner surface or outer surface of the cover layer floor tab is permanently bonded to the inner surface of the lid of the hinge cover pack so that the lid flap is also opened and closed when the lid is opened and closed.

As a further example, International Patent Application No. WO-A-2011/009520 discloses a pack for smoking articles comprising a hermetic block as an inner pack and a hinge lid box as an outer pack. The sealed block includes an inner tab or an open tab formed therein as an additional material formed by the outer layer of the inner blank and the additional material. With the aid of the actuation tab, the open tab is moved to the open position, exposing the removal opening in the region of the inner layer midway.

It is an object of the present invention to enhance the airtightness of one or more seals of the inner package of the container without requiring substantial modifications to the machine used to manufacture the inner package.

In one aspect of the present invention, a container for a consumer product is described. The container includes a box and a housing including a lid hingedly attached to the box, wherein the box includes a front wall and a rear wall. The container also includes an inner package disposed within the housing and at least partially defining an interior volume for receiving the consumer material. The inner package is formed of a material comprising a first layer and a second layer attached to an inner surface of the first layer. The inner package also includes a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the inner package and includes first and second layers. The first region is also disposed within the first layer and includes a first perforation line defining a flap and a second perforated line disposed within the second layer and defining an access opening disposed within the first region for retrieving the consumer material. The access opening is covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position. Also, the access opening is at least partially exposed when the flap is in the open position. The inner package also includes a second region adjacent a first region extending along the longitudinal axis. The second region includes only the first layer and does not include the second layer.

In current encapsulation constructions, the quality and functionality of the final pack depends on the proper adhesion between the lid and the self-adhesive label, and the label has a complicated structure and layout on both sides. In other words, the self-adhesive label attached to the outer surface of the package inside the container needs to be removably attached to the inner package. Such a complicated structure may include a multi-layer material used to form the inner package. However, such multilayer materials may be more difficult to seal to each other to form an inner package, as the thickness of the material may increase due to the multiple layers. For example, sealing multiple layers of material with one another may require additional energy and may increase potential lift in the seal (s) formed within the fold of the inner package. In addition, this additional energy can damage the material of the inner package and slow the production of the final pack.

The various aspects of the present invention may have one or more advantages over currently available or previously described containers. For example, an inner package including the multi-layer structure described herein allows the user to open the package, access the contents disposed within the package, and reseal the package. Such multilayered structures can provide a more cost effective way of providing a hermetic package that can be opened and closed to preserve the freshness of the package contents. In addition, the multilayered structure requires fewer elements while providing enhanced sealing properties of the container. Use of a multi-layer structure only in the area or portion of the inner package that does not include the folds can reduce the amount of material needed to form the package, reduce the amount of energy required to seal such folds, It is possible to reduce lifting at such a folding portion. These and other advantages of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present disclosure.

The present invention is applicable to any suitable container for consumer goods, including internal packages. It is known to pack consumer goods such as, for example, three-way smoking articles, in a container formed of a grounded thin layer blank. For example, elongated smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are generally sold with a hinge lid pack having a box for receiving the smoking article and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container . The box may include a box front wall, a box left wall, a box right wall, a box rear wall, and a box bottom wall. The lid may include a lid front wall, a lid left wall, a lid right wall, a lid rear wall, and a lid top wall.

The consumer goods inside the container can be packed with an inner liner. The inner liner and the consumer material together form an inner package. The container may include one or more inner frames disposed within the inner package, between the inner package and the box, or between the inner package and the inner package. Prior to initial opening, the filled container may be wrapped with an outer wrapper.

The container may take any suitable form for accommodating the consumer goods. For example, as already mentioned, the container may be a hinged lid container having one or more hinged lids connected to a box for receiving consumer items. In one or more embodiments, the vessel may be a slide and shell vessel having an inner slide for receiving a consumer material mounted within an outer shell. Where the container is a slide and shell container, the outer shell or inner slide may include one or more hinge lids. The container, inner frame, inner package, and outer wrapper can be formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The paperboard may have a basis weight of from about 100 grams to about 350 grams.

The container according to the present invention may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped having right-angled longitudinal edges and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may include one or more round longitudinal edges, round transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or slanted transverse edges, or a combination thereof. For example, a container according to the present invention may include, without limitation, one or more of the following features:

One or two longitudinally rounded or inclined edges over at least one of the front wall surface and the rear wall surface;

One or two laterally rounded or inclined edges on at least one of the front wall surface and the rear wall surface;

One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinally inclined edge on the front wall surface, or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse inclined edge on the back wall surface;

One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinally inclined edge on the front wall surface, or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse inclined edge on the rear wall surface;

One or two longitudinally round edges or sloping edges of the front wall or one or two longitudinally rounded edges of the sloping edge and the front wall; And

Two longitudinally rounded edges or sloping edges of the first sidewall or two laterally rounded edges or sloped edges of the second sidewall.

If the container comprises more than one rounded edge, preferably the blank forming the container is provided with three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or And includes a creasing line. The fresh line or crease may be inside the container or outside the container. Preferably, the fresh or creased lines are spaced from one another by about 0.3 mm to about 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the corrugation or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the lamination blank. Preferably, the spacing between the pleats or creases is about 0.5 to about 4 times greater than the thickness of the lamination blank.

Where the container comprises more than one tapered edge, preferably the tapered edge has a width of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, preferably from about 2 mm to about 6 mm. In one or more embodiments, the container may include a double slope formed by three parallel pleat lines or spikes separated so that two distinct slopes are formed at the edge of the container. If the container comprises a beveled edge, the slope may be formed by two parallel pleats or borders in the laminate blank in which the container is formed. The pleats or creases may be symmetrically arranged at the edge between the first wall and the second wall. Alternatively, the corrugation or swirling lines may be asymmetrically arranged at the edge between the first wall and the second wall such that the slope reaches the first wall of the vessel more than the second wall of the vessel.

Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular cross-section, such as a triangular or hexagonal, or polygonal cross-section, such as elliptical, semi-elliptical, circular or semicircular.

The container according to the present invention finds particular use as a pack for a three-way smoking article, such as a cigarette, a cigar or a cigar. It will be appreciated that the container according to the present invention may be designed for a different number of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes, through appropriate choice of dimensions.

The container according to the present invention can be designed to maintain a different total number of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles, through an appropriate choice of its dimensions. For example, a container according to the present invention can be designed to hold a total of 10 to 30 smoking articles, through an appropriate choice of its dimensions.

The container may contain not only smoking article bundles but also other consumer goods such as matches, lighters, fire extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronic appliances. Other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, included in the container inside the container with the smoking article, or included in the container in a combination thereof.

The lid of the housing is hingedly attached to the box and is configured to be operated between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the consumer can access the consumer goods disposed within the housing. The lid may be hingedly attached to the box along a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. The term "hinge line" refers to a line through which the lid can be rotated to open the container. The hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a crease line of the panel forming the rear wall of the housing.

The inner package comprising the consumer material is disposed within the housing. The inner package at least partially defines an interior volume for receiving the consumer goods. Preferably, the inner package is formed of a material comprising a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer. The inner package may be assembled using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Preferably, the material forming the inner package can be grounded in any suitable manner to provide the desired shape. In one or more embodiments, the inner package includes an envelope fold disposed in at least one of the uppermost wall, the bottom wall, the front wall, the rear wall, and the side wall of the inner package, for example, . The envelope folds may be formed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques and may be any suitable type of envelope folds. In one or more embodiments, the envelope folds may include one or more tabs grounded over the inner package, wherein the tabs grounded from the front wall of the inner package are generally positioned on top of the tabs grounded from the rear wall of the inner package And grounded. The two or more tabs of the fold can be attached to each other using any technique or combination of techniques to provide a seal. For example, the tabs may be attached to each other using an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, thermal bonding, laser bonding, and combinations thereof. The inner package may comprise any suitable number of folds, which may be located in any suitable position of the inner package once the package has been assembled. Preferably, the inner package may include an envelope fold on the first and second sidewalls such that each of the first and second sidewalls includes a seal.

The first layer of material forming the inner package may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. The second layer of material may also include an inner surface and an outer surface. The second layer may be attached to the inner surface of the first layer using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Preferably, the second layer is attached to the inner surface of the first layer using an adhesive. Any suitable adhesive or combination of adhesives may be used. Preferably, the adhesive is a detachable adhesive. Any suitable detachable adhesive, for example a pressure sensitive adhesive, may be used.

The first and second layers may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. The first layer may comprise the same material as the second layer or may comprise a different material than the second layer. Preferably, at least one of the first and second layers is formed of a metal foil or a metallized paper. At least one of the first and second layers may be formed as a laminate of a metallized polyethylene film and a liner material. At least one of the first and second layers may have a thickness from about 10 [mu] m to about 50 [mu] m. The first and second layers may also have a printable top coat. One or both of the first and second layers may comprise a material or a combination of materials to provide the desired barrier properties to the inner package. The first layer may have the same barrier properties as the second layer or different barrier properties from the second layer.

Any suitable technique or combination of techniques may be used to form the first and second layers. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first and second layers may be extruded. In one or more embodiments, the first and second layers may be co-extruded. In one or more embodiments, one or both of the first and second layers may be oriented in one or both of the longitudinal and transverse directions. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first and second layers may be cast and cured.

The inner package may include one or more regions disposed in any suitable relationship. The inner package may include a first region and a second region. In at least one embodiment, the first region extends along the longitudinal axis of the package and includes both the first and second layers. The first region may take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and may have any suitable dimension. Preferably, the first region has a width of from about 2 mm to about 20 mm measured in the transverse direction. The first region may also include a first perforation line formed in the first layer and defining a flap of the inner package. The first perforations can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes. Preferably, the first tear line defines a flap having three sides separating the flap from the first layer and a fourth side defining a hinge line between the flap and the first layer. In one or more embodiments, the flap may be attached to the inner surface of the box lid such that when the lid is opened, the flap is separated from the inner package along the first perforation. In this embodiment, when the lid is in the open position, the flap may assume any suitable shape, e.g., S-shape. The flaps may take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and may have any suitable dimensions.

The first perforations can be continuous or discontinuous (e.g., perforated). In addition, the first perforations can be formed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, such as laser cutting or mechanical cutting (e.g., die cutting or kiss cutting). The first perforations may comprise any suitable depth in the transverse direction relative to the inner and outer surfaces of the first layer. Preferably, the first perforation has a depth that is at least about 90% of the total thickness of the first layer. More preferably, the first perforation has a depth that is about 100% of the total thickness of the first layer. After the first perforations are formed, any suitable percentage of the material may remain along the first perforation. Preferably, after the first perforation line is formed, about 5% to about 25% of the first layer material may remain along the first perforation line.

The first region may also include a second perforation line disposed in a second layer defining an access opening disposed in the first region so as to retrieve the consumer material. When the flap is in the closed position, the access opening is covered by the flap formed in the first layer. Further, the access opening is at least partially exposed when the flap of the first layer is in the open position. In one or more embodiments, the access opening is fully exposed when the flap is in the open position. When the flap is in the open position, a portion of the second layer attached to the flap is detached from the inner package along the second perforation to expose the access opening.

The second perforations can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes to form the access opening. The second perforations can be continuous or discontinuous (e.g., perforated). In addition, the second perforations can be formed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, for example laser cutting or mechanical cutting (e.g. die cutting or kiss cutting). The second perforations may comprise any suitable depth in the transverse direction relative to the inner and outer surfaces of the second layer. Preferably, the second perforation has a depth that is about 90% of the total thickness of the second layer. More preferably, the second perforation has a depth that is about 100% of the total thickness of the second layer. After the second perforations are formed, any suitable percentage of the material may remain along the second perforations. Preferably, after the second perforations are formed, about 5% to about 25% of the second layer material may remain along the second perforations.

The inner package may also include a second region adjacent to the first region. The second region also extends along the longitudinal axis of the inner package. The second region may take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and may have any suitable dimension. Preferably, the second region has a width of about 2 mm to about 20 mm, measured in the transverse direction. In one or more embodiments, the second region comprises only the first layer and does not comprise the second layer.

In one or more embodiments, the inner package may also include a third region adjacent the first region and extending along the longitudinal axis of the inner package. In this embodiment, the first region may be disposed between the second region and the third region. The third region includes only the first layer and does not include the second layer. The third region may take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and may have any suitable dimension. Preferably, the third region has a width of about 2 mm to about 20 mm, measured in the transverse direction.

The second layer of material forming the inner package may extend over any suitable portion of the inner package when the inner package is of an assembled construction. Preferably, the second region extends over the front wall of the assembled inner package and over at least a portion of one or both of the first and second sidewalls. More preferably, the second layer extends only over the front wall of the assembled inner package and over a portion of one or both of the first and second sidewalls. That is, the second layer of material forming the inner package may be present in any suitable portion / portions of the inner package when the inner package is an assembled structure. It may be preferred that the second layer does not extend into a seal disposed in one or both of the first and second sidewalls.

At least a portion of the outer surface of the first layer may be permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the box rear wall. Any suitable technique or combination of techniques may be used to attach such portion of the outer surface of the first layer to the box rear wall. Preferably, a permanent adhesive is used to attach a portion of the outer surface of the first layer to the rear wall of the box. Also, at least a portion of the outer surface of the first layer may be permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the box front wall. Once again, in order to attach this portion of the outer surface of the first layer to the inner surface of the front wall of the box, for example, to attach the outer surface of the first layer to the inner surface of the box's front wall with a permanent adhesive Or a combination of techniques may be used.

The flap defined by the first perforation can be attached to the inner surface of the lid of the container housing. Any suitable technique or combination of techniques, such as mechanical fasteners, adhesives, thermal bonding or ultrasonic welding, and combinations thereof, may be used to attach the flaps to the inner surface of the lid. Preferably, the flap is attached to the inner surface of the lid using an adhesive. The adhesive may be any suitable adhesive or combination of adhesives. Preferably, the adhesive is a permanent adhesive. Any suitable portion of the flap may be attached to the inner surface of the lid. In at least one embodiment, a portion of the outer surface of the first layer forming the flap is attached to the inner surface of the lid. In one or more embodiments, a portion of the inner surface of the first layer forming the flap is attached to the lid.

The flap is configured to reattach to the second layer when the flap is in the closed position. The same adhesive used to attach the second layer to the first layer may be disposed between the flap and the second layer such that the flap may be reattached to the second layer when the flap is in the closed position. In one or more embodiments, alternative or additional adhesives or adhesives may be disposed along at least a portion of the second layer along the periphery of the access opening such that the flap may be attached to the second layer when the flap is in the closed position . This portion of the second layer along the periphery of the access opening defines the sealing area of the second layer. At least a portion of the sealing region overlaps the flap when the flap is in the closed position. The adhesive disposed between the flap and the second layer enables repeated opening and closing of the flap to allow access to the consumable material disposed in the inner package when the flap is in the open position so that when the flap is in the closed position, Lt; / RTI > Preferably, the adhesive disposed between the flap and the second layer so that the consumer can open and reseal the inner package until the package is emptied has sufficient adhesion to allow the flap to re-attach at least as many times as there is a consumer item in the inner package .

Preferably, the flap may have an area larger than the area of the access opening of the inner package such that the access opening is covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position. A first perforation line defining the flap exposes the sealing area of the second layer. The sealing area may have any suitable dimensions. For example, in one or more embodiments, the sealing region may have a constant width extending from the perimeter of the access opening to the first perforation line. In one or more embodiments, the sealing region may have a width that varies along the perimeter of the access opening. Preferably, the average width of the sealing region is from about 2 mm to about 5 mm. Preferably, the surface area of the sealing area is from about 25% to about 300% of the access opening area. Preferably, the surface area of the sealing area is from about 25% to about 65% of the access opening area.

Preferably, the container may further comprise an adhesive label disposed on the flap formed in the first layer of material forming the inner package. The adhesive label may be attached to the first layer so that the adhesive label covers the flap, and the flap and label may provide additional sealing to seal the access opening. In one or more embodiments, the adhesive label may be attached to the inner surface of the lid. In one or more embodiments, both the flap and the adhesive label may be attached to the inner surface of the lid.

In one or more embodiments, the inner package may include a decorative or information-providing adhesive label disposed on the outer surface of the inner package first layer. The adhesive label may comprise any suitable material or materials and may have any suitable dimensions. Also, the adhesive label may be disposed at any suitable location on the exterior surface of the first layer. In one or more embodiments, the adhesive label may comprise indicia disposed on the outer surface of the label, and the label may be placed at a location on the outer surface of the first layer so that the label can be viewed by the consumer. have.

The inner package may be more tightly sealed along the first and second perforations before the container is first opened. This can increase the shelf life of the consumer goods contained in the container.

The inner package may be formed from a pre-assembled inner package. The preassembled inner package may be formed of a material comprising a first layer and a second layer attached to an inner surface of the first layer. The first region may extend along the longitudinal axis and includes first and second layers. The first region may include a first perforation line disposed in the first layer and defining a flap, and a second perforation line disposed within the second layer and defining an access opening disposed in the first region. The access opening can be covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position. Also, the access opening is at least partially exposed when the flap is in the open position. The preassembled inner package may also include a second region adjacent a first region extending along the longitudinal axis. The second region may include only the first layer and not the second layer. Preferably, the preassembled inner package also includes a third region adjacent the first region and extending along the longitudinal axis. The first region is disposed between the first and third regions. The third region includes only the first layer and does not include the second layer. In one or more embodiments, the first region extends longitudinally by the entire length of the preassembled inner package. In at least one embodiment, the first region extends longitudinally between the first and second transverse portions of the pre-assembled inner package. Each of the first and second transverse portions includes only the first layer and does not include the second layer. The first and second transverse portions may take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and may have any suitable dimension. The material of the preassembled inner package may comprise any suitable number of traverses.

The container may also include one or more inner frames disposed within the box. The inner frame may be disposed between the inner package and the front wall of the box or may be disposed within the inner package. In one or more embodiments, the first inner frame may be disposed between the inner package and the front wall of the box, and the second inner frame may be disposed within the inner package. When the inner frame is disposed in the inner package, the inner frame is positioned so that the front wall of the inner package is between the inner frame and the front wall of the box. The inner frame includes a front wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls. Preferably, the inner frame is U-shaped. As used herein, the term "U-shaped" is used to refer to a shape comprising at least three portions, wherein the first and third portions are parallel to each other and extend in the same direction perpendicular to the second portion.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is disposed so that the front wall of the inner frame is between the front wall of the inner frame and the front wall of the box. Advantageously, a large surface area inner frame provided adjacent the front wall of the inner package increases the structural strength of the container. The increased structural strength by the inner frame allows the flaps to be more tightly closed. This is particularly advantageous for subsequent closure operations when the container is no longer full.

Preferably, the inner frame includes a cut-out at the top of the front wall. The cutout preferably substantially corresponds to the access opening and is provided so that the consumable material in the inner package is more accessible. Where the inner frame comprises an incision, the height of the inner frame is defined as the distance from the bottom of the inner frame to the incision.

The inner frame may include one or more reinforcing elements. Preferably, the at least one reinforcing element comprises an adhesive such that the adhesive reinforces the inner frame and the inner package. Alternatively, the at least one reinforcing element may comprise at least one layer of a material, such as a cardboard, similar to that used to produce the inner frame attached to the inner frame. In such an alternative, at least one additional layer of material is permanently attached to the inner frame. Preferably, the at least one additional layer is elongate. If the inner frame is U-shaped, at least one additional layer of material is preferably attached to the outer surface of the front wall surface of the inner frame. Preferably, at least one layer is attached adjacent the top of the inner frame.

The carton comprising a lid and at least one side wall may comprise a plurality of containers as described herein.

The term "adjacent to the first region" means that one or both of the second region and the third region is immediately adjacent to or attached to the first region.

The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", " Quot; top, "" bottom," and other terms are intended to refer to a container or inner package in an upright position having a lid at its uppermost end, Relative position. The terms "left" and "right" can be used to refer to the side wall of a container or inner package when the container or inner package is in an upright position viewed from the front.

The term "inner surface" is used herein to refer to the surface of a component of an assembled container facing toward the interior of the container, for example, toward the consumer when the container is in the closed position.

The term "longitudinal axis" is used herein to describe an axis that extends between the top and bottom walls of an inner package or pre-assembled inner package as an inner package or pre-assembled inner package axis.

The term "outer surface" is used herein to refer to the surface of a component of a container facing towards the exterior of the container. For example, in one or more embodiments, the container includes an inner frame including an outer surface facing the outer housing of the container and an inner surface facing the inner package of the container.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have the meaning commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are intended to facilitate an understanding of certain terms frequently used herein.

Several aspects of the invention are now illustrated with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container including a lid in an open position, wherein the container includes an inner package disposed within the housing and the housing.
Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the lid in the closed position;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the inner package of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the inner package of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the inner package of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a preassembled inner package.
8 is a schematic plan view of the inner frame.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer products. The container includes a housing 12 including a lid 20 hingedly attached to the box through a box 14 and a hinge line (not shown). The hinge line extends across the rear face 18 of the box 14 of the container 10 and acts so that the lid 20 can be moved from the closed position (Figure 3) to the open position as shown in Figure 1 do. The inner package (30) is disposed within the housing (12). The inner package 30 at least partially defines an interior volume for receiving the consumer goods. The inner package 30 is made of materials or barrier materials for hermetically sealing the consumer material before the container is first opened. The barrier material may be a metal foil or a plastic and metal laminate.

4 to 6, the inner package 30 includes a top wall 38, a bottom wall 39, front and rear walls 32 and 34 extending between the top and bottom walls, 36 and a second side wall 37, wherein each side wall is disposed between the front wall and the rear wall. The inner package 30 is formed of a material 31 comprising a first layer 40 and a second layer 50 attached to the inner surface 46 of the first layer 40 (FIG. 5). As shown in Figs. 5-6, the inner package 30 also includes a first region 80 extending along the longitudinal axis 2. The first region 80 includes first and second layers 40, 50 of a material 31. The first region 80 also includes a first perforation line 42 disposed within a first layer 40 defining flaps 44. The first region 80 also includes a second perforation line 52 disposed in the second layer 50 defining an access opening 54 disposed in the first region so that the consumer material (not shown) can be retrieved. When the flap is in the closed position, the access opening 54 is covered by the flap 44 (Fig. 3). Also, when the flap 44 is in the open position, the access opening 54 is at least partially exposed (Figures 1 and 2)

The inner package 30 also includes a second region 82 adjacent the first region 80 extending along the longitudinal axis 2. The second region 82 includes only the first layer 40 and does not include the second layer 50. The inner package 30 also includes a third region 84 adjacent the first region 80 such that the first region is disposed between the second region 82 and the third region 84. The third region 84 also extends along the longitudinal axis 2. The third region 84 includes only the first layer 40 and does not include the second layer 50.

The flap 44 is attached to the first layer 40 along the hinge line 49 (Fig. 2). When the lid is opened (FIG. 1), a portion 55 of the second layer 50 attached to the flap and flap is separated from the inner package 30 along the first and second perforations 42, 52 The flap 44 is also attached to the inner surface 22 of the lid 20 to expose the access opening 54 (Figure 2).

The container 10 also includes an inner frame 70 disposed within the inner package 30. The inner frame 70 may include a reinforcing element 72 disposed between the inner frame and the inner surface 17 of the front wall 16 of the box 14 (FIG. 2).

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of the container 10 of Fig. 1 in which the lid 20 and the flap 44 are in the open position. The inner package 30 is shown disposed within the box 14 of the housing 12 and the inner frame 70 is disposed within the inner package. In one or more embodiments, the flap 44 is attached to the lid 20. In the open position, the flap 44 forms an S-shape. The geometry of the container 10 allows the flap 44 to be automatically resealed to the inner package 30 when the flap (and lid 20) is returned to the closed position.

Inner package 30 At least a portion of the outer surface 48 of the first layer 40 is permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface 19 of the rear wall 18 of the box 14 to form a first region 24) attaches the inner package to the inner surface of the rear wall of the box. At least a portion of the outer surface 48 of the first layer 40 of the inner package 30 is permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface 17 of the front wall surface 16 of the box 14, In the region 26, the inner package is attached to the inner surface of the front wall of the box. By permanently attaching at least a portion of the inner package 30 to one or both of the front wall 16 and the back wall 18 of the box 14, the structural resilience of the inner package can be further improved. The inner package 30 may be permanently attached using, for example, hot melt adhesives, solvent based adhesives, aqueous adhesives, solventless adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, conductive sealants and inductive sealants. In a preferred embodiment, the inner package 30 is permanently attached to the box 14 using a hot melt adhesive.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a schematic perspective view of the container 10 of Fig. The lid 20 of the container 10 and the flap 44 of the inner package 30 are in the closed position. The flap 44 is attached to the second layer 50 when the flap is in the closed position (Fig. 5).

Referring to Fig. 4, a schematic perspective view of the inner package 30 of Fig. 1 is shown. In one or more embodiments, the inner package 30 also includes an adhesive 94 disposed on the flap 48 to allow the flap to attach to the inner surface 22 of the lid 20 (FIG. 2). The inner package 30 further includes a seal 90 on the first side wall 36. Although not shown, the inner package 30 may include additional seals on the second sidewall 37. The sealing portion 90 may be disposed in the folding portion 92 made of the material 31 of the inner package 30 to fix the folding portion. The folding portion 92 of the inner package 30 is an envelope type folding portion. The second layer 50 of the material 31 of the inner package 30 does not extend into the seal 90 (Fig. 6).

Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the inner package 30 of FIG. 1 is shown. The first region 80 of the inner package 30 may include a first perforation line 42 disposed in the first layer 40 to define the flap 44. The second layer 50 is attached to the inner surface 46 of the first layer 40 with an adhesive 60. The first region 80 includes a second perforation line 52 that is disposed in the second layer 50 and defines an access opening 54 disposed in the first region. As shown in FIG. 5, when the flap is in the closed position, the access opening 54 is covered by the flap 44. The flap 44 is configured to attach to the second layer 50 when the flap is in the closed position.

The sealing region 62 is formed between the first perforation line 42 and the second perforation line 52. The flap 44 is configured to overlay the access opening 54 in the sealing area 62 such that the flap is attached to the second layer 50 within the sealing area when the flap is in the closed position. In one or more embodiments, the sealing region 62 has a constant width along the perimeter of the access opening 54. In one or more embodiments, the sealing region 62 has a width that varies along the perimeter of the access opening 54.

The inner package 30 also includes a portion 55 of the second layer 50 that remains attached to the flap 44 as the flap moves from the closed position to the open position. 1 and 2), a portion 55 of the second layer 50 attached to the flap and flap is positioned along the first and second perforations 42, 52, And exposes the access opening 54 separately from the package 30.

Referring to Fig. 6, a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the inner package 30 of Fig. 1 is shown. The fold lines 96 and 98 are formed to provide an envelope fold in both the first and second sidewalls 36 and 37, a portion of which is shown in Fig. The fold lines 96 and 98 may be disposed between the front wall 32 and the side walls 36 and 37 of the inner package 30 or between the rear wall 34 and the side walls. The tabs of the envelope folds (e.g., the envelope folds 90 of FIG. 4) formed on the first and second side walls 36 and 37 adhere to each other to seal the first side wall 36 with a seal 92 (FIG. 4), and a sealing portion can be formed on the second side wall 37 (not shown). In one or more embodiments, the first edge 58 of the second layer 50 does not extend to the fold line 96 in the first sidewall 36. In addition, the second edge 59 of the second layer 50 does not extend to the fold line 98 in the second sidewall 37. As a result, the second layer 50 does not extend into the seal when the tabs of the envelope folds adhere to each other within the first and second side walls 36, 37.

Referring to Figure 7, a schematic top view of the pre-assembled inner package 100 is shown. The pre-assembled inner package 100 includes a first layer 140 and a second layer 150 that extends along the longitudinal axis 102 and includes a first layer 140 and a second layer 150 attached to an inner surface (not shown) . The preassembled inner package 100 includes a first region 180 extending along the longitudinal axis 102 and includes first and second layers 140 and 150. The first region 180 includes a first perforation line 142 disposed in the first layer 140 to define a flap 144 and an access opening 142 disposed in the second layer 150, 154 which define a second perforated line 152. The access opening 154 is covered by the flap 144 when the flap is in the closed position and the access opening is at least partially exposed when the flap is in the open position. The preassembled inner package 100 also includes a second region 182 adjacent a first region 180 extending along the longitudinal axis 102. The second region 182 includes only the first layer 140 and does not include the second layer 150. The pre-assembled inner package 100 also includes a first region 180 adjacent the first region 180 extending along the longitudinal axis 102 such that a first region 180 is disposed between the second region 182 and the third region. And a third region 184. The third region 184 includes only the first layer 140 and does not include the second layer 150.

The first region 180 may extend longitudinally by a full length of the pre-assembled inner package 100. In one or more embodiments, the first region 180 extends longitudinally between the first transverse portion 186 and the second transverse portion 188. Each of the first and second transverse portions 186 and 188 includes only the first layer 140 and does not include the second layer 150.

The pre-assembled inner package 100 shown in FIG. 7 also includes a front wall panel 32 that when assembled forms a front wall of the inner package (e.g., front wall 32 of the inner package 30 of FIG. 4) Two wall panels 104 and 106 forming the rear wall of the inner package when assembled (for example, the rear wall 34 of the inner package 30 of FIG. 4), a top wall panel 108 And a bottom wall panel 110. The preassembled inner package 100 also includes a plurality of sidewall panels 118 that form sidewalls (e.g., first and second sidewalls 36, 37 of FIG. 4). 7, the second perforations 152 are formed on the pre-assembled inner package 100 such that an access opening 154 is formed across the top wall panel 108 and the front wall panel 102 . The pre-assembled inner package 100 may also include a reinforcing element 119. The reinforcement element 119 may comprise any suitable reinforcement element described herein in connection with the inner frame 70 of FIGS.

Fig. 8 shows the pre-assembled inner frame 120. Fig. As described herein, the inner frame 120 includes a front wall 122 and two side walls 124 and 126. A reinforcing element 128 is provided on the outer surface of the front wall 122. As described herein, a cutout 130 is provided at the top of the front wall panel of the inner frame. The cutout 130 is provided so that the consumer goods accommodated in the container can be more easily accessed. The cutout 130 is provided to align with the access opening 54 (FIG. 1) provided in the inner package 30.

The dashed lines in the drawings described above represent the fold lines.

Claims (20)

As containers for consumer goods:
A housing including a box including a front wall and a rear wall and a lid hingedly attached to the box; And
An inner package disposed within the housing and at least partially defining an interior volume for receiving the consumable material, the inner package comprising a first layer and a second layer attached to an inner surface of the first layer Wherein the inner package comprises:
A first region extending along a longitudinal axis of the inner package and including the first and second layers, the first region being disposed in the first layer and defining a flap, and a second perforation line disposed within the second layer, Wherein the access opening is covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position and a second perforated line is defined when the flap is in the open position when the flap is in the closed position, A first region that is at least partially exposed; And
A second region adjacent the first region and extending along the longitudinal axis, the second region including only the first layer and not including the second layer. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the second layer attached to the flap and the flap when the lid is opened is separated from the inner package along the first and second perforations to expose the access opening Wherein the flap is attached to an inner surface of the lid. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the flap is attached to an inner surface of the lid by a permanent adhesive. 4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner package comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, front and rear walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall along the longitudinal axis, Further comprising first and second sidewalls disposed between the walls, respectively. 5. The container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner package includes a seal at least one of the first and second sidewalls, wherein the second layer does not extend to the seal. 6. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second layer is attached to the inner surface of the first layer by a resealable adhesive. The container according to claim 6, wherein the resealable adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner package further comprises a sealing region formed between the first and second perforations, wherein when the flap is in the closed position, And wherein the flap is configured to overlay the access opening within the sealing region so as to adhere to the second layer. 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the sealing region includes an average width extending from a periphery of the access opening to the first perforation line, wherein the average width is from about 2 mm to about 5 mm. 10. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the first layer of the inner package is permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the rear wall of the box. 11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the first layer of the inner package is permanently attached to a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the front wall of the box. 12. The container of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an inner frame disposed within the box, the inner frame including a front wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the inner frame is disposed between the front wall of the box and the inner package, or the inner frame is disposed within the inner package. 14. The container of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising the consumable material, wherein the consumable material is accommodated in an interior volume defined by the inner package. 15. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the consumable is a smoking article. A carton comprising the container of any one of claims 1 to 15. A pre-assembled inner package formed of a material comprising a first layer and a second layer attached to an inner surface of the first layer and extending along a longitudinal axis, the pre-assembled inner package comprising:
A first region extending along the longitudinal axis and including the first and second layers, a first perforation line disposed in the first layer and defining a flap, and a second perforation line disposed within the second layer, And a second perforation line defining an access opening disposed therein, the access opening being covered by the flap when the flap is in the closed position and at least partially exposed when the flap is in the open position; And
A second region adjacent the first region and extending along the longitudinal axis, the second region including only the first layer and not including the second layer, 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a third region adjacent to and extending along the longitudinal axis, the first region being disposed between the second and third regions, Wherein the first layer comprises only the first layer and the second layer does not. 19. The pre-assembled package of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first region has a width of about 2 mm to about 20 mm, measured in a transverse direction. 20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
The first region extending longitudinally by the entire length of the pre-assembled inner package,
The first region extending between the first and second transverse portions, wherein each of the first and second transverse portions includes only a first layer and does not comprise a second layer.

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